ROSALIA Puerto Rico,
You lovely island . . .
Island of tropical breezes.
Always the pineapples growing,
Always the coffee blossoms blowing . . .
ANITA Puerto Rico . . .
You ugly island . . .
Island of tropic diseases.
Always the hurricanes blowing,
Always the population growing . . .
And the money owing,
And the babies crying,
And the bullets flying.
I like the island Manhattan.
Smoke on your pipe and put that in!
OTHERS I like to be in America!
O.K. by me in America!
Ev'rything free in America
For a small fee in America!
Entire lyrics here. Image: The Rio Grande.
It gives me a migraine to think about the illegal immigration issue, but I think I understand what is going on.
My view is simple. Our representatives make immigration laws that hopefully serve the nation and reflect the feelings of the people. People who break these laws are working the system. That is not the right way to begin a new life in a new land. And it especially saddens me when it can be so difficult for people who want to come here legally - it's a hassle, there are quotas, employers have to demonstrate a specific need, etc.
Without boundaries, a country isn't a nation - it's just a place. But no ordinary place: it's a place to which countless millions in the world would come, if all they had to do was wade across the Rio Grande to get here.
I know why the Dems are inclined to support illegals - they want their votes. And the Repubs not only want their votes - their business supporters want their cheap labor.
I believe the majority of Americans, on the other hand, want their borders and laws respected, and do not want to be flooded by a de-facto invasion on which they were never consulted. Thus the majority of citizens are at odds with both parties of professional politicians. Being a regular sort of guy, I expect most Americans have the view that I do: Hey, illegals - stay home and fix your own countries, and make them be like us.
Rick Moran has written a fine and calm piece on the subject.
Update:
In an email, Rick mentioned the "racism" charge which is often used against those who want our laws respected. Answer me this: If you were asked to vote in a poll for 13 million Brits, Poles, Irish, Yugoslavs or Russians to be shipped illegally and covertly to America, who would vote "Yes"? Damn few. I like Larry Kudlow, but he is wrong on this. Americans do not hate Hispanic people. Why would they?
